Report from the CMS Board of Directors: Operationalizing the strategic plan for excellence and growth in 2026 and beyond

Report from the CMS Board of Directors

Sept. 19, 2025

Dear Colleague:

Today the Colorado Medical Society Board of Directors met to advance your priorities and those of the patients we serve. Most important, the board approved the action steps to operationalize the strategic plan.

In the next year and beyond, CMS will continue our strong physician-led advocacy in key policy priorities; increase member engagement especially with our medical student members and resident/fellow members; and improve public trust and understanding of health care.

We can't do this work alone and have formed key partnerships with health care organizations.

On behalf of Coloradans Protecting Patient Access, Cody Belzley of Common Good Consulting updated the Board on a proactive strategy to protect professional review from either legislative or ballot box attacks in the coming year. Part of that strategy includes the development of messaging tailored to policymakers and consumers about how professional review works and why it is essential that the confidentiality of that process is preserved. Ms. Belzley solicited stories from both the CMS board and other physician members about peer review. Contact Chet Seward for more information and to share some real-world safety and quality impacts that have resulted from professional review.
After years of bitter political battles on complex health policy, CMS leadership recently participated in a two-day retreat of stakeholders representing different hospitals, consumers, mental health, health plans, and Copic. Formed in response to the current political environment and a keen interest in building and repairing relationships among partners, this work aims to chart a path forward for the future of Colorado health care under a new gubernatorial administration and new legislature late next year. Participants agreed that there won’t be any easy solutions and disagreements are inevitable. There was also genuine interest in helping to shape a different approach to tackling these issues, especially given federal passage of HR-1 and its looming impact on insurance coverage for Coloradans. Watch for more updates soon.
Chet Seward updated the board on outcomes from the August special session of the state legislature and what is expected during the 2026 legislative session. The CMS Council on Legislation is meeting later this month to map out short- and long-term advocacy priorities, including protecting the confidentiality of professional review, reauthorizing the Medical Practice Act that is under sunset review, opposing inappropriate scope of practice expansions, continuing the fight against unfair health plan practices, and working to mitigate harms against coverage and delivery programs stemming from ongoing state budget deficits.
CMS continues to roll out current and new member engagement strategies including Your Care is at our Core communications and advocacy strategy, vaccine education, and support of rural physicians.

Your voice and action is critical to CMS's ability to lead on these issues. Do you have an example of when professional review improved your patient care? Do you want to share a message on the importance of vaccines? Or, do you have a story about how your patients' care is at your core? Email [email protected] or complete the form on this page.

This is my last post-Board report and it has been my honor to serve as your CMS president. Thank you for your continued membership and service to patients. Our organization is in good hands with our committed Board of Directors and incoming president, Brigitta Robinson, MD.

Sincerely,

Kim Warner, MD
CMS President